Melissa Merritt is a dedicated Veterinary Assistant whose passion for feline care began in childhood and was reignited during her time working as a caretaker at Kitten Rescue. Originally from New York City, Melissa shares her home with her mom and nine beloved cats—including several with cerebellar hypoplasia—who continue to inspire her commitment to veterinary medicine.
Melissa’s goal with every patient visit is to create a calm, positive experience, keeping stress levels low and ensuring each cat feels safe and supported. She has a special talent for handling scared or anxious cats, and she has grown to enjoy performing ear cytologies. One of her proudest accomplishments is being able to care for the cats from Kitten Rescue at Crescenta Cañada Cat Clinic, a full-circle moment that reminds her why she chose this career.
She is currently enrolled in Purdue University’s Veterinary Technician program and holds a veterinary assistant certification from VetBloom. Melissa is also Fear Free certified and a member of NAVTA as well as her school’s Feline VMA chapter.
Outside the clinic, Melissa enjoys reading mysteries, volunteering at Kitten Rescue’s clinic, and spending time with her nephew, who shares her love for cats. She is deeply passionate about animal rescue and advocates for vulnerable feline populations both in and out of work.
